Drug of choice? Make Up.

Tag: alternative

Before you jump straight to the comments section to compliment me about something, that is not why I am writing this post. I am not fishing for you to tell me that I’m pretty or that I look good for my size or anything like that. I am simply here to talk about why sometimes I can feel down on my size and why it’s hard knowing you’re the biggest girl at the party.

When I say party, I don’t literally mean a party. I don’t think I’ve been to a ‘party’ since I was 11. I’m talking about being in work, on a night out with friends or even just meeting someone for a coffee (I actually don’t drink coffee, but Hot Chocolate doesn’t have the same ring to it). I am so comfortable with the size I am, for those of you that don’t know me or have never seen me before I am a size 16, give or take a size.

Now, size 16. I know that that’s perhaps not very big and that there are women who are larger and there are women who are smaller. I’m just talking about this from my perspective.. I am confident and comfortable knowing that I am that size and have no immediate plans to change the size I am.

That being said, that’s my thought process right up until I am standing beside someone who is considerably skinnier than I am or is wearing a top I like but couldn’t wear because of my boobs or anything like that. It’s so easy for me to get myself down about how I look and I work so hard at building my confidence up so that it doesn’t get to me but every so often those thoughts creep in. It gets to the point where I will look around and I know I’m the biggest person there, which I’ll admit is a horrible mindset to have. I’ll sometimes decide not to go somewhere with a group of people because I know that I’ll be the biggest out of that group. I have toyed with the idea of not going on a night out this weekend because of the same thing. That same thought process of ‘oh my God, there are going to be photos of us together’ or ‘I don’t look as good in night out clothes as them.’ It’s not a nice way to feel – and yes, before any haters come and say ‘well of you don’t like feeling that way then go lose weight.’ I don’t want to lose weight. I am happy the way that I am. Usually I have the mindset of that ‘everyone is beautiful no matter what shape or size they are’ and do truly believe in that. Sometimes that mindset shifts when you’re standing in front of the mirror.

I want anyone reading this that has ever had a worry about their appearance, or thought they are bigger than they should be or are bigger or smaller than their friends that it is okay to have these thoughts. Just know, that it is true that everyone is beautiful no matter their size or shape, it’s okay to have the odd thought about your appearance but trust in yourself and wear your confidence with pride. Your confidence is the best thing that you could ever wear, no matter the size.

Do any of you ever feel this way or go through that mindset? I’d love to hear how you deal with it.

Do you ever put on an outfit and you can’t put your finger on what’s missing to complete it? Add a bracelet and no… a necklace perhaps? No… a kimono? NO. Add a pair of glasses and you are good to go! They make any outfit seriously chic.

It seems to be the ‘cool’ (I hate myself for using that term) thing to do is wear glasses, even when you don’t need them. Which is bizarre because when I was a kid you were made fun of for wearing glasses! Oh how times have changed…

But how do you know what glasses suit you and which ones don’t? Is your face too small or too big for certain types? You can’t just grab a pair on the high street and expect them to suit you! That’s where Firmoo comes in! They even have a system where you can upload a picture of yourself and virtually try on the glasses you like the look of so that you know whether or not you will look ridiculous. With so many styles and sizes it’s hard to know where to even begin… so let me help!

Top Tips For Your Face Shape

Find out your face shape before you do anything – I had no idea what I was so I looked straight into a wall mirror and with a lipstick (messy) I traced the shape of my face. Turns out I have a little round head, like a pea. Doing this will determine the shape of your glasses which best suit you.

Round shapefaces should go for glasses that are wider than they are taller as this will give the illusion that your face is stretched out.

Oval shape faces you need to get frames that match the widest area of your face so as not to upset the balance of your features.

Heart shape faces – CAT EYE. Why do cat eye glasses always look so good on heart shapes heads? Heart shape tend to have a wider forehead and a pointier chin so you need frames that are wider than your head or have high points like the cat eye shape to balance.

Square shape faces should potentially avoid square shaped glasses and opt for something more rounded instead to soften the features.

Next step is assess what colour of frames you want to go for and what colours best suit you. So get help telling whether you are warm or cool toned and then get a frame that compliments that. For example, if you are warm skinned (yellow or olive toned) then a frame with a warm hue better suits and cool toned (blueish or pink) suits a cool toned frame – you get me??

Make Up Tips

As glasses tend to cast a shadow under the eye it’s important to have a few tips up your sleeve to get the most from your new glasses.

Concealer – A brightening concealer will be your new best friend in order to keep away your dark circles. A few favourites of mine are the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat and the Estee Lauder Brush on Glow to add that healthy glow. That being said please, please, PLEASE do not apply too much concealer as I have learned the hard way that glasses are like a magnifying glass and will show up every line you have and invent lines you don’t have.

Line and Define – Don’t guffaw at me just yet… but liner is an amazing way to make your eyes stand out through the lens of your glasses. If you have thick frames, you should opt for a thicker line, but if you have softer, thinner frames then you can opt for a thinner line. Your eyeshadow should always be lighter than your frames also to avoid heavy looking eyes.

Mascara – I feel like this one goes without saying however, invest in a mascara (and an eyelash curler) that can do wonders for your eyes peeking behind those glasses. Or, if you can bothered – yes, falsies.

WARNING – Firmoo’s website is highly addictive. I have 15 pairs of glasses in my basket…

The website itself is very easy to use and even has a ‘How To’ section for choosing lens type and reading prescription. Not only that but when you have selected your pair of glasses each pair is custom designed to suit your pretty little face. Have a ruler at the ready as you will be asked for measurements to ensure that your glasses fit. You can also select your lenses and add in your own prescription! If they are purely just for fashion purposes I suggest keeping them as ‘Non RX’ ie. no prescription to keep them on the cheaper side. As IF Firmoo hasn’t held your hand enough offering you everything, you can then choose your lens thickness preference. Like, hello? I’ve never been so looked after in my life and this is a WEBSITE.

Enjoy shopping on the amazing website, I can’t wait to see all your glasses pics on Instagram!

SHOP HERE

You get your first pair of glasses for $4.95! All you have to do is click the link below!

As a self confessed make up lover I have found the perfect way to successfully shop for my make up but what about you guys who are watching these YouTube videos and reading these blogs about products and have no idea where or how to buy them?

I have compiled a list of the best websites to shop online for your perfect beauty picks!

This website is my immediate go to for shopping as it holds a host of beauty brands that you can’t get on the high street or even in your local department stores. From Anastasia Beverly Hills to Sigma to Morphe to Zoeva it has it all! Before Beauty Bay came along it was hard (and expensive) to get these amazing products but it is so easy.

You can view your products by brand and make up category making it easier to see what you are looking for and pick up a few bargains on the way. Speaking of bargains, they have a sale on now GO GO GO!

Not only is this a fantastic and easy to use website but you get free delivery with a £15 spend. I don’t know about you but I could spend £15 in 15 seconds so that’s not a problem for me. This is great as it appeals to even those on a budget.

When I can’t find what I need on Beauty Bay my next stop is Cult Beauty. Serving you brands from Huda Beauty to Becca Cosmetics to Lime Crime to Farsali (you know that serum Instagrammers are dripping all over their faces?). They also sell some of the same things that Beauty Bay has so if you are enquiring about prices be sure to check on both as you may save yourself some £’s.

What I like about Cult Beauty is that on their main page they have got such great blog posts that are interesting and entertaining to read (https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/blog) Not only that but you can shop a trends section to stay up to date with what’s hot in the beauty industry which is extremely helpful because I feel like the trends change weekly and can be hard to keep up. God forbid I put on a gloss when it’s back to ‘all matte everything.’

Us fortunate souls in the Belfast area are extremely lucky to have Space NK on our doorstep but for those who don’t or are lazier (me) then the website is perfection! What started out as a single store in Covent Garden has now graduated into 60 stores over UK & Ireland is now home to over 70 brands. Carrying some of the world’s most amazing, elusive brands Space NK provides a shopping experience like no other. From Hourglass to Rodin (oh please tell me you have tried this brand?! Their Jasmine & Neroli Luxury Body Oil is to die for…)

So this is primarily a subscription service that sends subscribers five selected samples of makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. For £10 a month/ £60 for 6 months/ £110 for 12 months you get a box of goodies that are tailored to suit you. I love this website, it’s such a great idea to get to try products you never would have normally. Plus, technically you’re only buying one thing, so it’s not as bad as buying 5 things. You can also purchase products from this website like the others but this one is all about the special boxes that come every month. I love them, it’s like getting a little surprise sent to you in the mail!

In fact if you order a box in January you get a free Pop Beauty Eyeshadow Trio with a Spectrum brush – just use the code EYES at checkout – YAY!

There are so many sites that you can use but these are a selection of my favourites and the ones that I use all the time. Way more than I probably should. These sites are perfect for those amazing products that you can’t get in normal stores, or if you just hate going into places like Debenhams, Boots, etc then they are perfect for you.

As the stress of the Christmas period comes to an end and the stress of a new year begins, it’s important to carve out time for yourself to relax. As we all try to turn ourselves into better people for a new year we someone manage to forget to look after ourselves causing anxiety and – yes, stress!

I have devised my favourite ways to wind down and relax for you all, so do your body and mind a favour and tick some off the list. The best thing is you can do some of them in less than 5 minutes so they don’t take a lot of time out of your busy ‘New Year, New You’ schedule.

Munch that chocolate.

Now, I don’t want to disturb anyone’s diet but it’s SCIENCE. Not only is it effing tasty but eating some dark chocolate can reduce stress and anxiety. It improves memory and is related to happiness and increasing your mood. So, if science says it’s okay then you have that chocolate! To avoid the guilt maybe don’t race for the vending machine for the goods but instead keep with you a few squares of dark chocolate with you. My favourite is Pascha Chocolate *bonus – gluten free, dairy free, soy free and nut free*

Meditate – ahummm.

I am telling you, once I got over the Buddha feeling this seriously helps. From as little as 5 minutes can seriously affect your mood for the better. The mind, heart and body can improve with regular meditation! For me personally it grounds me and steadies my thoughts so that my brain doesn’t go into overdrive. Meditating improves concentration and causes the pituitary gland to secrete endorphins that help elevate the mood and have a positive effect on your whole body. So sit your ass down and hum a few bars to center yourself. Trust me, you’ll feel better.

Drink a green tea.

I don’t know what it is but a sense of smugness washes over me that calms me down when I drink a green tea. It’s the same sense that you get off those that sit in Starbucks for hours writing or banging away on their laptop. Anyway, drinking green tea helps with your metabolism but aids in relieving stress also as it contains theanine, a calming agent. If you find it hard to get used to the taste then try another kind of tea or add in some diluted juice (sugar free!)

Count backwards.

Come on now, I work in retail so I have had to count down from 10 several times over the Christmas period and for a little quick fix this really works. It sounds like a test, but trust me it’ll make you feel a lot better as you’ll find that when you are counting your breathing will go in time to the numbers therefore calming you down.

Pat cold water on your wrists.

Okay, hear me out on this one. I really do mean cold water and not perfume. When you apply cold water to your wrists and even behind your earlobes too this can calm down the whole body due to these areas being major arteries. Sounds bizarre, but go and try it – and I do mean a little not a whole bottle of water or anything crazy.

Find your space.

I don’t mean hide somewhere until the calm goes away like the stationary cupboard at work but I mean find a space that you can really relax in. For me, it’s curled up in our ‘vibe room’ in my house where I can sit and listen to music. I have my paints there if I fancy pushing some paint around. I have a bean bag and my books. It’s bliss and it makes me really happy. So if I am having an off day I come home and sit in there and chill out. Ideally make this space somewhere where there are no phones, TVs, etc so you can really truly relax.

Bubble bath.

As if I even have to put this one in here. I feel like this point goes without saying… I have never been s relaxed as when I have a bath. The only reason we are renting the house we are, is because it has a bath. The only thing is after I am done being relaxed in the bath and I pop some pajamas on I get sweaty and stressed again from being too hot. Worth it. Get your sorry ass down to Lush or The Body Shop or wherever your favourite smellies place is and pick out some amazing bath stuff and get in a hot bath with a book or with Netflix and chill out.

Turn off your phone.

I get it, it’s the 21st Century and most of our lives revolve around our phones. Most of you will probably be reading this from a phone. Regardless, as much as I love social media and all the things I post about, I hate how attached I am to my phone. As soon as I put it down I pick it up again to do something else. Even as I write this one point I have picked my phone up twice. When my phone is off, I feel more relaxed. Try it out, I am sure you can last even an hour and it will do you the world of good.

Have fun.

Sounds obvious, right? But when was the last time you did something you enjoyed? Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, catching up with friends, watching football, whatever. Don’t deny yourself fun in your busy, hectic schedule. Take that time for yourself and even plan it in advance so that you have something to look forward to. I love having a plan for the weekend ahead so that I know my busy week has a happy ending!

So there we have it, a few of my favourite ways to wind down and calm down. Hopefully this post has inspired you to take a chunk out of your busy life and relax. Your body and mind will thank you for it!

I am sitting here happy as a clam all toasty and wrapped up in an extra layer of fat that I put on over Christmas and just thinking about the coming year and everything that it’s going to have in store. With 2018 just around the corner it got me thinking about all of those New Year Resolutions that we make and then worry ourselves over to inevitably not stick to and feel horrible about ourselves which is why

my new years resolution this year is to not make a resolution

I am positively giddy about the fact that I am not going to starve myself for a week in order to attempt losing weight. I am over the moon that I am not going to beat myself up that I haven’t learned a new skill or taken up a hobby. I am on cloud nine that I am going to continue to drink just a little too much at the weekends therefore ruining my Sundays. I am ecstatic that I am going to have the first take out of 2018 and not feel a pick of guilt because I said I would cut down.

For years now I have busted my balls trying to become a ‘better person’ in trying to stick to these ridiculous goals and then spending the following 10 months hating myself that I never completed or stuck to them. Well, enough is enough! No longer will I waste my time on these stupid resolutions in order for me to feel down on myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I plan on accomplishing some things this coming year but none that I will write down and beat myself up about if I don’t change. For example, I really ought to start driving, clear out the pile of clothes I am in denial about, eat a little healthier and maybe put away some money in a savings account. To me those are like – life changes for a better state of mind, not a resolution that I need to force myself to change. I find resolutions very unhealthy and a lot of emphasis gets placed on them, especially at this time of year. It’s basically like saying to yourself ‘you weren’t good enough this year, let’s try again for next year.’ Of course there are some bad habits that we all would like to shake but again, I am not going to get myself down in the dumps about it.

If you are someone that loves making resolutions as a way of trying to ‘improve’ yourself then go for it – Godspeed – however, I am not one of those people. I can’t wait to wake up on New Year’s Day hungover, crawl out of bed and straight for the Diet Coke and take away menu because I am not placing myself on some strange diet that requires I eat a cube of cheese three times a day.

I am looking forward to maturing slightly next year. I feel like the year I turn 27 I really need to get my ducks in a row. That being said, 2017 I moved in with Joel in our cute little rented house in Belfast (my stuff takes up 95% of it, his 5%) and I have accomplished a lot this year. Can’t wait to see what 2018 has to offer and I can’t wait to not have to force it with New Years Resolutions.

From light and fluffy to thick and dramatic I have compiled a list of the best eyelashes on the market to make the most of your eye make up.

It may as well be scientific fact that all eye make up looks look better with a pair of eyelashes applied. Whether you are a novice when it comes to picking lashes or even applying them then hopefully this post will help. With so many styles and variety or prices it can be daunting selecting a pair that best suits to amp up your lashes.

Before I even get into the best eyelashes, it’s important that you know how best to apply them or at least the basics of applying. I always find it best to use tweezers to remove the lashes from the packaging and then lay them on your eyelashes to measure if they fit or not. If not then grab some small scissors and trim the band – NEVER trim the hairs on the lashes or you’ll end up with weird looking stumps. Using eyelash glue place some on the lash band and most importantly, wait for the glue to become tacky – about 30-60 seconds is more than enough. Don’t try to stick it on right away or it’ll become a hot mess! When the lash is ready then using tweezers or a lash applicator tool apply to your lashes while looking down into the mirror. I always find it best to put the lash on and put pressure onto the middle of the eyelashes and then to push down the outside, then the inner corner. Once the lash is applied use your tweezers to press your own lashes with the false eyelashes to move them closer together. Regarding mascara, it’s personal preference when you put it on. I prefer to use mascara first so as not to destroy the lashes and you can get longer out of them.

I know, I know it is very easy to write down how to apply them but when it comes to the actual application of them it’s much harder to get the hang of. When you do get the hang of applying them, you will be thankful! Your eye make up will never look better…

Ardell Demi Wispies £5.49

These eyelashes are one of the first pairs that I ever became obsessed with. They are a staple in my Make Up Kit for clients as they perfectly suit every need and every eye shape. They are the ‘goldilocks’ lash in that they are just right and are easily stacked (double up the lash) if you want a fuller look. The lash band itself is incredibly lightweight which makes for an easier application. Definitely a great starter lash and not as expensive as others which makes for a great ‘practice’ lash too. The great thing about Ardell lashes is that they come with a mini Duo Glue in the pack. Duo Glue is one of the more popular glues on the market and is the glue that I personally use.

Considering these eyelashes were the very first pair I ever used I couldn’t not put them into the list. The are very full straight lashes with a slight curl on the end. The lashes themselves although fuller are still extremely lightweight so you won’t have drooping tired eyes. The lashes create a cat eye look which is great for a smoky eye or even a winged liner look. Again lash glue is included however, I prefer to use the Duo Glue so might be worthwhile picking up a tube of this as it is sold on it’s own. I don’t reach for these lashes as often as I used to however, not everyone likes the wispy fullness of other lashes and these are a perfect alternative!

Not only are these an absolute bargain of an eyelash but they are high quality and offer more of a ‘natural’ look. Similar to the previous two lashes mentioned the Stevi lashes offer graduated length so they look fluttery and feminine. I find these lashes very comfortable to wear and can be reused so long as they are looked after and removed properly. They don’t however come with glue hence the lesser price point however lash glue as previously mentioned, is easy to pick up. A lot of beauty bloggers, you tubers, etc tend to use these eyelashes as because again they go with every eye look and even look great on their own.

If that’s what you want from your eyelashes then you have come to the right place. Although they are spikier they still create a very soft look while still being a dramatic lash. These lashes are extremely popular with beauty You Tubers and you can get a good bit of wear out of them. They are more expensive, but more luxurious. Also the House of Lashes lash glue is amazing! The glue is latex free and waterproof which makes this a perfect go to for those with more sensitive eyes with a tendancy with watery eyes.

These. Are. My. Favourite. You can use these 20-25 times and are real 3D Mink Lashes which is why they are on the pricier side. That being said, I think they are excellent value for money! These lashes are flirty, fluffy and give a full finish which lifts every single eye look and transform it into an Instagram worthy look. They are definitely on the more dramatic side but because of the fluffiness they still look normal. Dramatic lashes are grand so long as they are fluffy, try to avoid any that are all the same length otherwise you’ll end up with caterpillar eyelashes – not a good look! Fluffy is the way forward.

That brings my list to an end as I have a disgusting amount of eyelashes. I hope this list helps if you are struggling to pick the perfect lash for your peepers as it took me years to realise what lashes worked and what ones don’t!

Before I even say hello I just have to say that never have I been hungrier in my life than I was when writing this post. So thanks to this post I think I gained a stone.

Hello Fellow Hungry Hippos,

You have in fact read this title correctly. This is not about delicately delicious morsels that I cooked up in my Nigella style kitchen with methods for you to follow. No brownies, no homemade, no nothing. This is about those so-tasty-should-be-illegal things that you can bulk buy from the likes of B&M or Home Bargains for about £1. If you are reading this and you don’t have B&M or Home Bargains, I pray that one day either opens near you and you can experience the wonders they have to offer. Or go online.

Anyway, I am a snacky person. My locker in work is full of snacks. Hence why I am pushing into a new dress size and believe me I am going up not down. My mouth is already watering thinking about the snacks I am going to write about. I have compiled a list of my go to snacks but please understand I do not eat all of them every day. Just… some of them.

WARNING! Seriously unhealthy food to follow, if you are a health freak or on a diet please know, I am sorry. Click away.

Popnotch Popcorn. Something you must know about me… I love popcorn. I go to the cinema just so I can have popcorn. Is that bad? Anyway, my favourite popcorn to have actually comes from near my fabulous home in Northern Ireland. They have so many flavours and they even have little packets for kids. They have cute little popcorns with sayings on their packaging and to be honest, that’s what sold it to me firstly. Now, I make it my aim to collect all the flavours! My favourite is the Sweet & Salty Popnotch Popcorn. If you are from Northern Ireland, do yourself a favour and pick up a pack! Nom nom nom… (PS. check out their website it is so cute http://popnotch.co.uk/ )

Houmous. Oh my GOD, hello? I will dip anything, anything into houmous. Be it carrot sticks, celery or a bloody chocolate bar. I am being serious. A Mediteranean spread which works great with pitta breads, bread sticks, carbs, etc and my favourite comes from M&S. The Deli Reduced Fat Extra Virgin Olive Oil Houmous is unreal. It’s handy when you are wanting a snack that will actually fill you and not leave you full of guilt instead. Be warned though, the garlic can be a little overpowering so maybe pop a mint after if you are on a work break.

Chocolate. Ah duh. All chocolate, all colours. Say no more. The perfect little boost to get you through the day hour. I can’t pick one chocolate brand or bar as my favourite because… that’s crazy. However, malteasers are a fantastic snack. The little boxes you can get make me happy inside – that’s the kind of shit I get in B&M… they are always £1.

Apple & Peanut Butter. So this CAN be a healthy snack so long as you choose a natural peanut butter. I don’t normally pay much attention to the peanut butter I am picking and whether it’s healthy or not I just pick the one I know tastes good.

Chip n Dip.Be it Doritos and Salsa, Plain Crisps and Sour Cream Dip or Pringles and Nutella (trust me) chip and dip is seriously under rated as one of the best snacks out there. In fact, why not go the whole 9 yards and just make nachos… oh, maybe that’s a meal and not a snack. No matter whether it’s movie night with the gals, a hangry lunch break or a sneaky pig out sesh chip n dip is always the answer.

Tayto Cheese & Onion Sandwich.Firstly, if you aren’t Irish you can probably just skip this point as there is no other crisp that will suit, so don’t try. The Tayto Factory produces one of the greatest crisps I have ever tasted, and I have tasted my fair share of crisps. Not only is the bag of crisps itself an amazing snack, but put a bag of crisps in between two slices of bread and butter and you have got something that will make your insides warm and fuzzy. In fact… brb making a sandwich.

Cuppa and biscuits. Okay, so while this isn’t your average snack it’s one of the best. There is nothing that a cup of tea can’t fix and pair it with your favourite biscuit and you are onto a winner. I am a ginger nut, chocolate digestive lover with an occasional cookie rather than your fancy biscuit. I like to keep it old school. The question is do you dunk your biscuit? If the answer is no, I can’t associate with you. There is simply nothing better than a biscuit that has been dunked into the perfectly made cup of tea.

Cheese & Crackers. My favourite end to any dinner party. I mean, yeah sure the company and the entertainment is okay – but cheese and crackers is just the ticket. Any cheese, any cracker and a glass of port wine (or Schloer… always Schloer) will always win. M&S always do a cracking cheese board, especially for this time of year as as I write this, it is less than a week to Christmas. M&S have a wide variety of cheese boards that suit every taste and price. That being said, I prefer to create my own cheese board picking my favourite cheese and crackers. My favourite crackers to have with cheese are oldies but goodies, Jacobs crackers. They may seem boring to some, but I love them and they suit every cheese. William Jacob made a damn good cracker way back in 1850!

That brings us to the end of my list of favourite snacks because if I keep going on I will ruin my keyboard with drool.